I like Penallta parkrun. Of all the parkrun courses I've ever run (4) it may very well be my favourite, but I'd not run it in a while (just over a year) with my Merthyr exploits taking over and a lack of free Saturdays prior to that.
As a result, the course had missed my somewhat improved form of late, with my best round there being 23:47... in 2016. My last time out was 25:24... not sure where I was that day.
After recent failed attempts to run a parkrun (damn you ice!) I was determined to give it a crack and just about made it this morning, sadly this cut into my warm up, but still got some in. I got to the line, quick chat with Ian, one of the core team there and an all round nice guy, showed me the parkrun ropes back in the day, and I was ready to go.
The hopes were to definately improve that CR, and maybe get in the 21s so my parkrun course bests look more even. I kind of thought maybe sneak a PB as it is a little quicker course than Merthyr, but didn't build myself up as Nos Galan wasn't great and was probably faster again.
Started well, maybe a little fast and after the first k-ish I settled myself down to try and keep things even. There is a little climb, and my memory had let me down as I didn't realise how far it was along a section of the path, but I got up there then tried to use the down. All going well.
Round the top of the course I had a little flap, of course I did, I always do, convinced I had gone off to fast (maybe a little...) but I held it together uncharacteristically well! But morale boost when I hit the turn of the junior course as I suddenly knew, 1k to go, so built it up as best I could from there, ending with a borderline sprint to hold off a couple of people who were gaining.
Looked at the watch... 20:50...
Noooo, it can't be!
I've been faster on a treadmill of course, but in the 'real world' that would be a PB. Let's not get too excited... I'll wait for the real results.
Well it was...
Whoop PB!
15 seconds off and under 21 mins for the first time. 50 more second to go for my target. It's coming!
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